Ready or Not (PS5) Review – End of Watch

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In the past, when flight simulators were widespread and BioWare was highly respected (which means it was a while ago), the tactical shooter genre had two major players: Rainbow Six and SWAT. These games emphasized raw realism – you could be eliminated by just a few shots, quite surprising! Planning and caution were also frequent, but for some reason, SWAT felt more appealing to me. The objective was to secure hostages and suspects without resorting to reckless behavior, gradually clearing city corridors one by one, strategically using positioning and teammates as much as weapons, if not more. It was difficult yet captivating.

Despite the fact that Rainbow Six continued with new sequels and even ventured into competitive shooters like Siege, SWAT essentially faded away following a series of lackluster spin-offs. This is what makes Ready or Not, Void Interactive’s tactical squad shooter, so intriguing to me. Launched for PC in December 2023, it’s now making its way onto Xbox Series X/S and PS5. The transition seems smooth, though some bugs and underlying issues persist, it offers some of the most intense first-person shooter experiences available today.

Despite finding that my team didn’t manage to break through a peculiar door during training exercises, I encountered no trouble executing similar commands in real missions. On PS5, these orders are assigned to R1 when equipment is equipped, but there are also context-sensitive commands for your squad, which can help reduce the need for excessive micromanagement.

The action takes place in Los Suenos, a city that mirrors Los Angeles, with its distant glittering skyline depicted. Multiple gameplay options are available, with Commander being the main solo campaign. As David Beaumont, known as Judge, you command D Platoon, LSPD’s tactical unit, on challenging missions across the city. The narrative is subtly conveyed, primarily through text displayed on a chest tablet. Although it didn’t immediately captivate me, gradually distinct connections between certain missions became clear, revealing an unsavory aspect of the city beneath its bright lights.

During the initial operation, the raw violence in the film Ready or Not becomes evident. It’s portrayed through a panicked emergency call made by a mother about the intruders, a fallen war hero and his pet, and a frightened child seeking safety amidst the chaos.

Delving deeper into the gritty heart of Los Suenos, I find myself awestruck by the intricate realism of these surroundings – dilapidated apartments smeared with graffiti and cluttered with debris, houses with shattered windows and precarious connections between them (not to mention the rudimentary tunnels beneath). At night, it’s downright chilling. Yet, it’s not just the visual details that leave an impression; there’s a palpable unease in the air as well, with unsettling themes lurking around every corner.

As the commander of D Platoon, my role is to bring a semblance of order amidst the turmoil, which often means apprehending or dealing with any suspicious individuals. The approach I take depends on the situation’s severity, but it’s crucial to safeguard all civilians to maintain our mission’s success. There are various entry points for different levels, and in single-player mode, I can instruct my squadmates to open doors, scan an area, move in or restrain suspects if necessary.

During training exercises, my team and I found that charging through a door didn’t yield success, yet in real missions, I encountered no problems executing the same command. On PlayStation 5, these commands are assigned to R1 when equipment is selected, but there are also context-aware commands for your squad that can reduce the need for micromanagement. Small features like lowering your weapon for faster movement were appreciated, although I’m unsure about the advantages of using canted sights.

Your collection of firearms is quite diverse, including assault rifles, submachine guns, shotguns, and handguns. These weapons can come with various accessories, although some may not significantly impact performance beyond personal preference for a particular sight or the need for a flashlight.

As a gamer, I’ve learned that prioritizing targets is crucial, but sometimes they’ll attack on sight, putting innocents at risk. Matters get complex when enemies use civilians as shields and might kill them if I get too close, even unintentionally. In one tough mission, a target began shooting through the door once spotted. Returning fire could endanger hostages. Catch-22, isn’t it?

Recognizing targets is equally crucial – you never know if someone might suddenly give up or charge at you with a knife (even seemingly defeated enemies can still pose a threat). A bystander might even mistake their phone for a weapon, so it’s essential to always exercise caution when using your firearm. With unpredictable enemy positions and traps, every mission provides an engaging replay experience. While the early missions may seem straightforward, later ones demand clearing multiple levels, breaching and securing numerous rooms. As the difficulty increases, the enemies themselves become more formidable as well.

In this aspect, the controls are quite user-friendly and it’s beneficial to have the ability to free lean, even though discovering the need to do so when dealing with hostile enemies hiding under beds was a bit startling. However, the main drawback is that several tasks follow a similar pattern – apprehending suspects, ordering hostile individuals to stand down, and so on – which can lead to some monotony due to repetition.

You possess quite a variety of firearms, including assault rifles, submachine guns, shotguns, and handguns. These weapons can come with various accessories, although some may not significantly impact performance (except for personal preference in choosing a scope or the need for a toggle flashlight). The addition of a suppressor often seemed like a smart choice, and I didn’t find any evidence contradicting this, even when considering damage. However, each weapon maintains its own unique characteristics, and they are all reinforced by impressive sound design.

Instead of playing Quick Missions one by one without controlling your team, or opting for Ironman mode to finish the campaign without dying, cooperative play might offer a more enriching experience.

In addition to choosing your weapons and armor, it’s also essential to allocate necessary gear. For instance, when infiltrating certain areas, anti-flash goggles become crucial. On the other hand, if you encounter ricin gas, a gas mask is more suitable. During nighttime missions or dark, dimly lit corridors, Night Vision Devices (NVDs) are a must. If you aim for a high score, consider using non-lethal ammunition like beanbags, but avoid targeting the head at all costs.

As a commander in this game, I’ve learned that maintaining my squad’s mental health is just as important as their physical abilities. It’s much like managing my party in Darkest Dungeon – if they get too stressed, they might decide to quit on me. While they won’t resort to madness or turn against each other, high stress means they’ll eventually walk away from the team. Since experience unlocks traits that can boost the whole squad, it makes sense to keep everyone sane. Rotating squad members not only gives the others a break but also ensures I’ve always got a full roster when it matters most.

In summary, I find Commander mode quite enjoyable, even on the Standard setting that allows for a bit of error. However, there are a few aspects that could use improvement. For instance, giving commands or getting suspects to face the right direction can feel awkward at times. Additionally, minor clipping issues pop up occasionally, and while my AI allies are usually dependable, they sometimes obstruct my path. At least they don’t accidentally fire at me from behind.

Instead of opting for Quick Play or Ironman Mode on your own, consider joining forces with four other players. There’s a unique charm to having everyone gathered at the station, sipping coffee (which boosts your abilities), and then navigating tricky combat scenarios together.

Ready or Not may not appeal to all first-person shooter enthusiasts. Instead of battling waves of criminals while taking heavy damage and powering up the Shield Saw, you’ll find a different kind of action here.

In a rapid, tumultuous sequence of events, an unexpected encounter unfolded: a suspect sprayed bullets at my teammates in a split second, turning a casual door opening into a comical yet chilling moment. This game, with its unpredictable nature, presents the risk of friendly fire and hidden traps behind doors – typical for such titles. Despite a high ping, I managed to navigate without encountering any problems.

For fans of first-person shooter games, Ready or Not might not be the usual experience you’re accustomed to. Instead of tearing through waves of criminals with unending damage absorption and Shield Saw acceleration, it offers a tribute to an old series. It stands out as one of the best homages from a game inspired by SWAT, and it may very well be the strongest representation in this genre so far.

This game was reviewed on PlayStation 5.

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2025-07-15 16:45